The Daily Star Ireland
South Korean investigators attempting to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol have requested an extension for his arrest warrant, which was set to expire later today.
The embattled leader remains inside his residence, surrounded by loyal security personnel, and has repeatedly refused to cooperate with authorities. Despite three prior refusals to appear for questioning, a failed arrest attempt last month saw hundreds of his security guards block investigators from detaining him over a controversial martial law decree.
Officials from the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) confirmed their intention to seek a warrant extension before it expires at 3 PM Irish time. CIO deputy director Lee Jae-seung stated in a briefing that they had also requested police assistance in detaining Yoon due to the challenges faced during previous attempts. However, law enforcement has yet to approve the request, leaving investigators uncertain about their next steps.
A previous effort to arrest Yoon ended in a tense standoff, with hundreds of security forces preventing authorities from reaching him, ultimately forcing investigators to withdraw over safety concerns.
If arrested, Yoon could face severe legal consequences, including imprisonment or, in the worst case, the death penalty. However, both he and his supporters remain resolute. Protest organizer Kim Soo-yong, 62, stated that the Presidential Security Service would continue to protect Yoon until midnight and vowed to return if another warrant is issued.
Early this morning, dozens of lawmakers from Yoon’s People Power Party gathered outside his residence, while police blocked roads in anticipation of fresh demonstrations. Protesters on both sides braved freezing temperatures overnight, with anti-Yoon activist Kim Ah-young criticizing the delays in executing the arrest.
The original warrant was issued after Yoon refused to cooperate with authorities investigating his martial law decree. His legal team has denounced the warrant as unlawful and pledged to challenge it through further legal action. The head of Yoon’s presidential security service has also declared that investigators will not be allowed to detain him.
Regardless of the outcome, South Korea finds itself in an unprecedented situation. Either the sitting president will be taken into custody, or he will continue evading court-ordered detention, setting a historic precedent for the nation’s democracy.
As the deadline for the arrest warrant loomed, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Seoul for meetings with key government officials, including acting president and finance minister Choi Sang-mok. While Blinken is not scheduled to meet Yoon, he will hold a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, who is not facing impeachment.
South Korea’s Constitutional Court has scheduled Yoon’s impeachment trial for January 14. If he refuses to attend, proceedings will continue in his absence.
A prosecutors’ report regarding Yoon’s former defense minister, reviewed by AFP, revealed that the president ignored warnings from key cabinet members before attempting to implement martial law. The document states that the prime minister, foreign minister, and finance minister all expressed concerns over the potential economic and diplomatic fallout during a cabinet meeting on the night of the decision.
The opposition Democratic Party has called for the dissolution of the security service protecting Yoon, arguing that it has obstructed justice. However, Yoon’s legal team remains defiant and has announced plans to file a complaint against the CIO officials attempting to arrest him.
Established in January 2021, the CIO is an independent agency responsible for investigating high-ranking officials, including the president and their family members. However, it does not have the authority to prosecute a sitting president and must instead refer cases to the prosecutors’ office for further action once questioning is completed.
Yoon’s legal team has vowed to hold those involved in what they claim to be illegal actions accountable under the law.
The Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to determine whether Yoon will be officially removed from office or reinstated. If he refuses to appear, he will follow in the footsteps of former presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye, who both declined to attend their own impeachment trials.
